Method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device

ABSTRACT

A method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device is provided. It is detected that the data comprises an attachment. An address of a copy of the attachment is determined, the attachment present on a storage device external to the communication devices. An address of the copy of the attachment is substituted in the data such that the copy is retrievable at the second communication device via the address. The data is then transmitted to the second communication device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/171,882 filed Jun. 2, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/670,600 filed Mar. 27, 2015 (issued as U.S. Pat.No. 9,369,414), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/217,360 filed Aug. 25, 2011 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,002,928),which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/339,158filed Dec. 19, 2008 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,611). The contents ofeach of the above-identified documents are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

Transmission of data between communication devices can require largeamounts of bandwidth, especially if the data includes large attachments,such as images, videos, audio files, or documents. Such bandwidth can becostly, especially when the transmission occurs over wireless networks.This can occur, for example, when the communication device whichoriginates the transmission includes a wireless communication deviceand/or a mobile communication device (laptop, cell phone, PDA, wirelessmodem, etc.). Furthermore, on wireless networks, the process oftransmitting data is generally slow relative to wired networks. Hence,resources at an originating wireless communication device can beoccupied with the transmitting process at the expense of otherprocesses, often to the extent that the communication device can appearfrozen until the transmission is complete. When transmitting data usinga mobile communication device, operation of a radio is required. Suchoperation is power intensive and reduces the operational time of themobile communication device due to reduction in power stored at thebattery.

BACKGROUND

Furthermore, communication devices which receive transmitted data canhave limits on the size of attachments which can be accepted, and datawhich has attachments that are of a size larger than the limit can berejected, sometimes without the knowledge of a user of the receivingcommunication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a system for processing data for transmission from afirst communication device to a second communication device, accordingto non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts a method for processing data for transmission from afirst communication device to a second communication device, accordingto non-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 3 to 9 depict the system of FIG. 1 in operation, according tonon-limiting embodiments;

FIGS. 10 and 11 depict systems for processing data for transmission froma first communication device to a second communication device, accordingto non-limiting embodiments; and

FIG. 12 depicts a method for processing data for transmission from afirst communication device to a second communication device, accordingto non-limiting embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A first aspect of the present specification provides a method forprocessing data for transmission from a first communication device to asecond communication device. The method comprises detecting that thedata comprises an attachment. The method further comprises determiningan address of a copy of the attachment present on a storage deviceexternal to the first and second communication devices. The methodfurther comprises substituting the attachment with the address of thecopy in the data such that the copy is retrievable at the secondcommunication device via the address. The method further comprisestransmitting the data to the second communication device.

The address can be embedded in the attachment, and determining theaddress of the copy can comprise processing the attachment to extractthe address.

The attachment can comprise an exchangeable image file format (EXIF),and the address can be embedded in EXIF data.

The address can be stored in at least one of a database and a table inassociation with an identifier of the attachment, and determining theaddress of the copy can comprise processing at least one of the databaseand the table to retrieve the address via the identifier. The addresscan comprise a uniform resource locator (URL).

The method can further comprise: determining if the storage device isaccessible to second communication device; and, if not, transmitting thedata to the second communication device with the attachment attachedthereto in lieu of the substituting. Determining if the storage deviceis accessible to the second communication device can comprisedetermining if the second communication device and the storage deviceare each associated with a same communication network. Determining ifthe storage device is accessible to the second communication device cancomprise determining if there is a firewall between the secondcommunication device and the storage device, and if so, determining thatthe storage device is not accessible to the second communication device.

The method can further comprise, prior to the detecting: uploading thecopy of the attachment to the storage device; determining the address ofthe copy of the attachment; and, at least one of: storing the address inat least one of a database and a table in association with an identifierof the attachment, and embedding the address in the attachment.

The data can comprise at least one of an e-mail, a text-message, a shortmessage service message and an instant messaging message, and theattachment can comprise at least one of image data, audio data, videodata and document data.

A second aspect of the present specification provides a communicationdevice for processing data for transmission from the communicationdevice to a second communication device. The communication devicecomprises an interface enabled to transmit the data. The communicationdevice further comprises a processing unit in communication with theinterface. The processing unit is enabled to: detect that the datacomprises an attachment; determine an address of a copy of theattachment present on a storage device external to the communicationdevice and the second communication device; substitute the attachmentwith the address of the copy in the data such that the copy isretrievable at the second communication device via the address; andcause the data to be transmitted to the second communication device viathe interface.

The address can be embedded in the attachment, and the processing unitcan be further enabled to determine the address of the copy byprocessing the attachment to extract the address. The attachment cancomprise an exchangeable image file format (EXIF), and the address canbe embedded in EXIF data.

The communication device can further comprise a memory in communicationwith the processing unit, the memory enabled to store the address in atleast one of a database and a table in association with an identifier ofthe attachment, and the processing unit can be further enabled todetermine the address of the copy by processing at least one of thedatabase and the table to retrieve the address via the identifier. Theaddress comprises a uniform resource locator (URL).

The processing unit can be further enabled to: determine if the storagedevice is accessible to the second communication device; and, if not,cause the data to be transmitted to the second communication device, viathe interface, with the attachment attached thereto in lieu of thesubstituting. The processing unit can be further enabled to determine ifthe storage device is accessible to the second communication device bydetermining if the second communication device and the storage deviceare each associated with a same communication network. The processingunit can be further enabled to determine if the storage device isaccessible to the second communication device by determining if there isa firewall between the second communication device and the storagedevice, and, if so, determine that the storage device is not accessibleto the second communication device.

The processing unit can be further enabled to, prior to detecting thatthe data comprises an attachment: upload the copy of the attachment tothe storage device; determine the address of the copy of the attachment;and, at least one of: store the address in at least one of a databaseand a table in association with an identifier of the attachment, andembed the address in the attachment.

The data can comprise at least one of an e-mail, a text-message, a shortmessage service message and an instant messaging message, and theattachment can comprise at least one of image data, audio data, videodata and document data.

FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 for processing data 105 for transmissionfrom a first communication device 110 to a second communication device120. First communication device 110 is generally enabled to transmitdata 105 to second communication device 120, via a communicationsnetwork 125. Furthermore, first communication device 110 is enabled totransmit data 105 to second communication device 120. For example, data105 can comprise at least one of an e-mail, a text-message, a shortmessage service (SMS) message and an instant messaging (IM) message.Second communication device 120 is generally enabled to receive andprocess data 105.

System 100 comprises a storage device 130 external to first and secondcommunication devices 110, 120. First and second communication device110, 120 are generally enabled to communicate with storage device 130via communications network 125. In general, first communication device110 is enabled to upload data to storage device 130 for storage and/orbackup and second communication device 120 is enabled to retrieve datafrom storage device 130.

First communication device 110 is further enabled to attach data A1(hereafter referred to as attachment A1) to data 105, attachment A1stored in a memory 132 prior to being attached to data 105. AttachmentA1 can comprise at least one of image data, audio data, video data anddocument data, and the like, however it is understood that the nature ofattachment A1 is not to be considered particularly limiting.

In some embodiments, first and second communication devices 110, 120 cancomprise a personal computer, a laptop computer, a mobile communicationdevice, a PDA, a cell-phone and/or a combination.

Communications network 125 can comprise any suitable combination ofwired and wireless communication networks as desired, including but notlimited to the Internet, an intranet, a WiFi network, a WiMax network, acell-phone network, and a wireless data network.

First communication device 110 comprises a processing unit 134 forattaching attachment A1 to data 105. Processing unit 134 is furtherenabled to process data 105, according to a method described below withreference to FIG. 2, such that an address of a copy of attachment A1 issubstituted for attachment A1. For example, processing unit 134 canimplement such a method by processing a data transmission application(DTA) 136 which can be stored in memory 132, and retrieved by processingunit 134.

Processing unit 134 is further enabled to transmit a copy of attachmentA1 to storage device 130, for back-up and/or storage, and to furtherdetermine an address of the copy, as described below.

Memory 132 comprises any suitable combination of random access memory(RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), as desired, and is enabled to storeattachment A1, as well as applications such as DTA 136.

First communication device 110 further comprises a communicationinterface 138, which is generally compatible with communications network125. In embodiments, where first communication device 110 comprises amobile communication device, and communication network 125 comprises awireless network, interface 138 comprises a radio 140 and an antenna141. Interface 138 is generally enabled to transmit data 105 to secondcommunication device 120 via communication network 125.

Processing unit 134 is generally in communication with memory 132 andinterface 138, for example via a computer bus, such that attachment A1can be retrieved from memory 132 and data 105 processed and transmittedvia interface 138.

First communication device 110 further comprises a power source 142.However, in other embodiments, power source 142 can comprise a connectorfor connecting first communication device 110 to a source of power, suchas a power outlet, and/or a combination of a battery and a connector.

Second communication device 120 comprises a memory 152, a processingunit 154 and an interface 158. Interface 158 is generally compatiblewith communication network 125 and is enabled to receive data 105 fromfirst communication device 110 via communication network 125. Processingunit 154 is enabled to process data 105 upon receipt and memory 152 isenabled to store data 105 and/or data attached thereto. Processing unit154 is further enabled to retrieve data from storage device 130, givenan address of data stored at storage device 130.

First and second communication devices 110 and 120 can further compriseany suitable combination of input device(s) and display device(s), asdesired (not depicted).

Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 which depicts a method 200 forprocessing data 105 for transmission from first communication device 110to second communication device 120. In order to assist in theexplanation of the method 200, it will be assumed that the method 200 isperformed using the system 100. Furthermore, the following discussion ofthe method 200 will lead to a further understanding of the system 100and its various components. However, it is to be understood that thesystem 100 and/or the method 200 can be varied, and need not workexactly as discussed herein in conjunction with each other, and thatsuch variations are within the scope of present embodiments.

Prior to processing data 105 for transmission optional steps 210-220 canbe performed such that a copy of attachment A1 is stored in storagedevice 130. However, it is understood that the means for storing a copyof attachment A1 in storage device 130 is not particularly limiting.

At step 210, a copy A1 c of attachment A1, which is stored in memory132, is uploaded to storage device 130. For example, as depicted in FIG.3 (substantially similar to FIG. 1 with like elements having likenumbers) processing unit 134 can create copy A1 c and transmit/uploadcopy A1 c to storage device 130, via interface 138. At storage device130, copy A1 c is stored at an address Add1.

At step 215, address Add1 is determined at the processing unit 134. Forexample, during the upload process, processing unit 134 can receiveaddress Add1 from storage device 130, as depicted in FIG. 4, either byrequesting address Add1 from storage device 130 during the uploadprocess and/or storage device 130 can transmit address Add1 to firstcommunication device 110 once copy A1 c is stored.

In some embodiments, address Add1 comprises a URL (Uniform ResourceLocator: an address that specifies the location of a file on theInternet), and or a network address of the copy A1 c.

At step 220, processing unit 134 stores address Add1, by at least oneof: storing address Add1 in a table T1 (and/or a database) inassociation with an identifier of said attachment, and embedding addressAdd1 in attachment A1.

In embodiments which include table T1, table T1 can be stored in memory132, as depicted in FIG. 4. In some non-limiting embodiments, table T1can comprise:

TABLE T1 Column1: Data Identifier Column 2: Address of copy of DataIdentifier of A1 Add1

While the table T1 is presented in the format of rows and columns, it isunderstood that any suitable format can be used. In these embodiments,table T1 comprises a first data identifier column (“Data Identifier”),comprising an identifier of attachment A1. The identifier of attachmentA1 can comprise any suitable identifier, including but not limited to aname of the attachment, an address of the attachment in the memory 132,a version number, a file identifier number, and/or a combination. Forclarity, however, in table T1, the identifier of attachment A1 comprises“Identifier of A1”. In these embodiments, table T1 further comprises asecond column comprising the address of a copy of the data identified inthe first column (“Address of copy of Data”), for example address Add1of copy A1 c (identified as “Add1” in table T1, for clarity).

Furthermore, table T1 can comprise any suitable number of rows, eachcomprising storing identifiers of respective data stored in memory 132,and addresses of copies associated with the respective data. Forexample, while present embodiments describe uploading only copy A1 c tostorage device 130, it is understood that copies of any number ofrespective data stored in memory 132 can be uploaded to storage device130, and identifiers of respective data, along with addresses of copiesassociated with the respective data, can be stored in table T1.

Alternatively, at step 220, address Add1 can be embedded in attachmentA1, as depicted in FIG. 5, and stored in memory 132. For example,attachment A1 can comprise metadata, which generally describesattachment A1, and address Add1 can be embedded in the metadata. Inexemplary embodiments, attachment A1 comprises an exchangeable imagefile format (EXIF), and address Add1 can be embedded in EXIF data. Anon-limiting example of an exchangeable file format includes, but is notlimited to a JPEG image, as known to persons of skill in the art. Infurther embodiments, where attachment A1 comprises EXIF data, EXIF datacan include GPS data of where data was acquired (e.g. where a photo wastaken), which can also be embedded in address Add1. For example, addressAdd1 can comprise a URL including the GPS data, which can later (e.g. atstep 270 described below) be tied into a mapping application (such asGoogle Maps™) thereby providing further detail of where data wasacquired when copy A1 c is later retrieved using address Add1.

In any event, it is understood that the means for storing a copy A1 c instorage device 130 is not particularly limiting. In some alternativeembodiments, a copy A1 c can be stored in storage device 130 prior toattachment A1 being stored at first communication device 110. Forexample, attachment A1 can be transmitted to first communication device110, by a third communication device (not depicted), which has alreadyuploaded copy A1 c to storage device 130, and embedded address Add1 inattachment A1, and/or transmitted address Add1 to first communicationdevice 110.

In any event, at step 230, processing unit 134 detects that data 105comprises attachment A1. It is generally understood that data 105 is tobe transmitted to second communication device 120, and further thatattachment A1 has been attached to data 105. It is further understoodthat while present exemplary embodiments are directed to one attachment,the number of attachments to data 105 is not to be consideredparticularly limiting.

In non-limiting embodiments, for example, an image file can be attachedto an e-mail message. It is understood that data 105 can be generatedvia any suitable application, including but not limited to an e-mailapplication, a text message application, an SMS application and/or an IMapplication. It is furthermore understood that attachment A1 can beattached to data 105 in any suitable manner including, but not limitedto, an automated e-mail application, drag and drop, file selection, etc.

At step 240, processing unit 134 determines address Add1 of copy A1 c ofattachment A1 present on storage device 130 external to first and secondcommunication devices 110, 120. While in some embodiments, at stepoptional step 215, address Add1 was previously determined; such adetermination is performed during an upload/back-up process that isindependent of step 240.

In any event, at step 240, in embodiments wherein address Add1 isembedded in attachment A1, determining address Add1 of copy A1 ccomprises processing attachment A1 to extract address Add1. Inembodiments where address Add1 is stored in table T1 (and/or a database)in association with an identifier of attachment A1, determining addressAdd1 of copy A1 c comprises processing table T1 (and/or a database) toretrieve address Add1 via the identifier. For example, attachment A1 canbe processed to determine the identifier, and the identifier can be usedto look up address Add1 in table T1.

At step 250, and as depicted in FIG. 7, processing unit 134 substitutesattachment A1 with address Add1 of copy A1 c in data 105, therebyreducing a size of data 105, such that copy A1 c is retrievable atsecond communication device 120 via address Add1. In embodiments wheredata 105 comprises more than one attachment, respective addresses ofcopies of each respective attachment can be substituted for eachrespective attachment.

At step 260, data 105 is transmitted to second communication device 120,for example via interface 138 and communication network 125.

At step 270, copy A1 c is retrieved at second communication device 120via address Add1. For example, when data 105 arrives at secondcommunication device 120, data 105 is processed by processing unit 154to extract address Add1 (FIG. 8). In response, second communicationdevice 120 then retrieves copy A1 c (FIG. 9). In some embodiments,address Add1 is then substituted with copy A1 c in data 105. In otherembodiments, copy A1 c can be retrieved and stored in memory 152 withoutperforming a substitution. In yet further embodiments, copy A1 c can beretrieved only upon receipt of data from an input device (not depicted),associated with second communication device 120 (e.g. an input devicecan be used to “click” on the address, when data 105 is displayed at adisplay device (not depicted)). In embodiments where address Add1includes GPS data, further detail of copy A1 c can be retrieved usingthe GPS data, for example via Google Maps™, or any other suitablemapping application.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 10, which depicts an alternativeembodiment of a system 1000 for processing data 1005 for transmissionfrom a first communication device 1010 to a second communication device1020. System 1000 is substantially similar to system 100, with likeelements having like numbers, however preceded by a “10” rather than a“1”. For example first communication device 1010 is similar to firstcommunication device 110. However, system 1000 comprises a server 1026,such as an e-mail server, and the like, which is enabled to manage datatransmitted (and/or received) by first communication device 1010. Inthese embodiments, server 1026 and first communication device 1010 areconnected via a communication network 1027, which can be a wired orwireless communication network as desired, and can comprise an intranet,such as a company intranet. For example, server 1026 can be enabled tomanage data transmitted and/or received by any given number ofcommunication devices connected to server 1026 via communication network1027.

Furthermore, while not depicted, it is understood that eachcommunication device 1010 and 1020, and server 1026, comprises at leasta processing unit, and a communications interface, similar tocommunication devices 110 and 120, and at least first communicationdevice 1010 comprises a memory for storing an attachment A10, of which acopy A10 c is stored at storage device 1030, at an address Add10.Furthermore, in some embodiments, server 1026 comprises a table T10(and/or a database, e.g. stored in a memory), similar to table T1,however storing addresses of copies of any given number of attachmentsstored at any given number of communication devices connected to server1026 via communication network 1027.

In any event, first communication device 1010 is enabled to transmitdata 1005 comprising attachment A10 to second communication device 1020via server 1026. Server 1026 is enabled to implement at least steps230-260 of method 200, such that data 1005 is detected and address Add10is substituted for attachment A10 in data 1005, as described above. CopyA10 c can then be retrieved by second communication device 1020, asdescribed above.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 11, which depicts an alternativeembodiment of a system 1100 for processing data 1105 for transmissionfrom a first communication device 1110 to a second communication device1120. System 1100 is substantially similar to system 1000, with likeelements having like numbers, however preceded by an “11” rather than a“10”. For example first communication device 1110 is similar to firstcommunication device 1010. However, system 1100 further comprises afirewall 1128, as known to a person of skill in the art. In theseembodiments, storage device 1130 is in communication with firstcommunication device 1110 and server 1126 via communication network1127: in other words, in these embodiments, storage device 1130 is anelement of an intranet. Furthermore, first communication device 1110,server 1126 and storage device 1130 are located “behind” firewall 1128,relative to second communication device 1120. Hence, in some of theseembodiments, storage device 1130 is accessible to second communicationdevice 1120, while in other embodiments storage device 1130 is notaccessible to second communication device 1120.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 12 which depicts a method 1200 forprocessing data 1105 for transmission from first communication device1110 to second communication device 1120. In order to assist in theexplanation of the method 1200, it will be assumed that the method 1200is performed using the system 1100. Furthermore, the followingdiscussion of the method 1200 will lead to a further understanding ofthe system 1100 and its various components. However, it is to beunderstood that the system 1100 and/or the method 1200 can be varied,and need not work exactly as discussed herein in conjunction with eachother, and that such variations are within the scope of presentembodiments. Method 1200 is substantially similar to method 200, withlike steps having like numbers, however preceded by “12” rather than“2”. For example, step 1230 is similar to step 230. Furthermore, steps1230-1260 can be performed by first communication device 1110 and/orserver 1126. In the following description, however, it will be assumedthat steps 1230-1260 are implemented by server 1126.

In any event, after step 1230 (detect that data 1150 comprisesattachment A11), at step 1232 a determination is made as to whetherstorage device 1130 is accessible to second communication device 1120.In some of these embodiments, server 1126 can determine whether storagedevice 1130 is accessible to second communication device 1120 bydetermining if second communication device 1120 and storage device 1130are each associated with a same communication network: for example, insome embodiments, second communication device 1120 can also be locatedbehind firewall 1128 (not as depicted), and an element of communicationnetwork 1127. In these embodiments, second communication device 1120 isan element of the same intranet as first communication device 1110, etc.For example, server 1126 can maintain a list of all elements ofcommunication network 1127.

Alternatively, determining if storage device 1130 is accessible tosecond communication device 1120 comprises determining if firewall 1128is between second communication device 1120 and storage device 1130. Forexample, a query can be transmitted to the second communication device1120, and if the reply passes through firewall 1128, it is determinedthat storage device 1130 is not accessible to second communicationdevice 1120.

In another non-limiting alternative, determining if storage device 1130is accessible to second communication device 1120 comprises processingthe address of the second communication device 1120. For example server1126 can comprise (and/or have access to) a list/table/database etc. ofemail domains and/or e-mail addresses that have access to storage device1130.

Alternatively, determining if storage device 1130 is accessible tosecond communication device 1120 comprises determining if secondcommunication device 1120 has permission to access storage device 1130via firewall 1128. In these embodiments, a list of communication devicesthat have permission to access storage device 1130, but which areexternal to communication network 1127, can be maintained at server 1126and/or firewall 1128 (and/or communication device 1110).

In any event, if storage device 1130 is accessible to secondcommunication device 1120, then steps 1240-1260 are implemented (similarto steps 240-260, as described above), as depicted in FIG. 12.

However, if storage device 1130 is not accessible to secondcommunication device 1120, then data 1105 is transmitted to secondcommunication device 1120 with attachment A11 attached thereto in lieuof substituting attachment A11 with address Add11.

In any event, when an address of a copy of an attachment is substitutedfor an attachment, in data for transmission from an originatingcommunication device to a receiving communication device, strain onresources at the originating communication device is reduced, as is theamount of bandwidth used in transmitting the data. This can furtherreduce the power used at the communication device and lengthen life of abattery, if present. Furthermore, if the receiving communication devicehas a limit on the size of attachments it can receive via e-mail etc.,and if the data for transmission initially comprises an attachmentlarger than the limit, sub to which receive transmitted data can havelimits on the size of attachments which can be accepted, and data whichcomprise an attachment that is of a size larger than the limit can berejected, substitution of an address of a copy of the attachment canensure that the data is not rejected.

The systems, methods and apparatus described herein can also be use tocontrol access to data. For example, in some embodiments address Add1(and/or Add10, Add11) can be transmitted instead of attachment A1(and/or attachment A10, A11) to ensure that only authorized individualsgain access to copy A1 c (and/or A10 c, A11 c). When secondcommunication device 120 (and/or second communication device 1020, 1120)attempts to retrieve copy A1 c (and/or A10 c, A11 c), control of accessto copy A1 c (and/or A10 c, A11 c) can be enforced via pre-existingpermissions to access database 130 and/or database 1030, 1130. Forexample, in system 1100, server 1126 can rely on firewall 1128 (oranother storage server with authenticated access) to enforcepermissions.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, thefunctionality of communication devices 110, 120, 1010, 1020, 1110 and1120, storage devices 130, 1030, 1130, and servers 1026 and 1126 can beimplemented using pre-programmed hardware or firmware elements (e.g.,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.), or other relatedcomponents. In other embodiments, the functionality of communicationdevices 110, 120, 1010, 1020, 1110 and 1120, storage devices 130, 1030,1130, and servers 1026 and 1126 can be achieved using a computingapparatus that has access to a code memory (not shown) which storescomputer-readable program code for operation of the computing apparatus.The computer-readable program code could be stored on a computerreadable storage medium which is fixed, tangible and readable directlyby these components, (e.g., removable diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, fixed disk,USB drive). Alternatively, the computer-readable program code could bestored remotely but transmittable to these components via a modem orother interface device connected to a network (including, withoutlimitation, the Internet) over a transmission medium. The transmissionmedium can be either a non-wireless medium (e.g., optical and/or digitaland/or analog communications lines) or a wireless medium (e.g.,microwave, infrared, free-space optical or other transmission schemes)or a combination thereof.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patentdocument or patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet morealternative implementations and modifications possible for implementingthe embodiments, and that the above implementations and examples areonly illustrations of one or more embodiments. The scope, therefore, isonly to be limited by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: uploading, from anoriginating communication device to an external storage device, a copyof a file; obtaining at the originating communication device, inresponse to the uploading, an address of the copy of the file;subsequent to the uploading and the obtaining, generating a message atthe originating communication device, the message addressed to areceiving communication device; prior to transmission of the message,receiving, at the originating communication device, a selection of thefile for attachment to the message; in response to detecting the fileattached to the message, automatically substituting, at the originatingcommunication device, the file with the address such that the copy ofthe file is retrievable at the receiving communication device using theaddress; and transmitting, from the originating communication device tothe receiving communication device, the message including the addressand omitting the file.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:subsequent to the obtaining, embedding the address in the file asmetadata prior to the automatically substituting, the automaticallysubstituting comprising processing the file to extract the address. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the file comprises an exchangeable imagefile format (EXIF) data, and the address is embedded in the EXIF data.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the address comprises a uniformresource locator (URI).
 5. The method of claim 1, the obtaining furthercomprising at least one of: storing the address in at least one of adatabase or a table in association with an identifier of the file; orembedding the address in the file.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein themessage comprises at least one of an e-mail, a text-message, a shortmessage service message or an instant messaging message, and the filecomprises at least one of image data, audio data, video data or documentdata.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the address is stored inassociation with an identifier of the file in at least one of a databaseor a table, and the substituting the file with the address of the copyon the external storage device comprises processing at least one of thedatabase or the table to retrieve the address via the identifier.
 8. Anoriginating communication device comprising: a communication interface;a processing unit configured to: upload, using the communicationinterface, to an external storage device, a copy of a file; obtain at anoriginating communication device, in response to the uploading, anaddress of the copy on the external storage device; generate a messageat the originating communication device, subsequent to uploading thecopy of the file and the obtaining the address, the message addressed toa receiving communication device; receive at the originatingcommunication device, a selection of the file for attachment to themessage, prior to transmission of the message, in response to detectingthe file attached to the message, automatically substitute at theoriginating communication device, the file with the address such thatthe copy of the file is retrievable at the receiving communicationdevice using the address; and transmit, using the communicationinterface, to the receiving communication device, the message andomitting the file.
 9. The originating communication device of claim 8,wherein the processor is further configured to embed the address in thefile as metadata subsequent to the obtaining the address and prior toautomatically substituting the file with the address, the automaticallysubstituting comprising processing the file to extract the address. 10.The originating communication device of claim 8, wherein the filecomprises one or more of: an exchangeable image file format (EXIF) data,and the address is embedded in the EXIF data.
 11. The originatingcommunication device of claim 8, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: determine if the external storage device is accessible;and, if not, transmit the file instead of the substituting.
 12. Theoriginating communication device of claim 8, wherein the messagecomprises at least one of an e-mail, a text-message, a short messageservice message or an instant messaging message, and the file comprisesat least one of image data, audio data, video data or document data. 13.The originating communication device of claim 8, wherein the address isstored in association with an identifier of the file in at least one ofa database or a table, and the substituting the file with the address ofthe copy on the external storage device comprises processing at leastone of the database or the table to retrieve the address via theidentifier.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing acomputer program, wherein execution of the computer program is to:upload, from an originating communication device to an external storagedevice, a copy of a file; obtain at the originating communicationdevice, in response to uploading the copy of the file, an address of thecopy of the file; generate a message at the originating communicationdevice, subsequent to uploading the copy of the file and obtaining theaddress, the message addressed to a receiving communication device;receive, at the originating communication device, a selection of thefile for transmission with the message, prior to transmission of themessage; in response to detecting the file attached to the message,automatically substitute, at the originating communication device, thefile with the address such that the copy of the file is retrievable at areceiving communication device using the address; and transmit, from theoriginating communication device to the receiving communication device,the message including the address and omitting the file.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein executionof the computer program is further to: embed the address in the file asmetadata subsequent to obtaining the address and prior to theautomatically substituting; wherein the automatic substitution comprisesprocessing of the file to extract the address.